What my kids can do without me.
January 31, 2009
Last week I was absent four days as I attended a face-to-face meeting for my masters program. I had one day to prep my kids for this because we had three snow days in a row before this. In the forty-five minutes that I had with my classes I quickly talked through by objectives for them and some instructions. I then left what I hoped was decent directions in my Moodle site and with my substitute teacher. I left hoping for the best but worried that I had forgotten something, that some sort of unforeseen technical problem would arise.
Upon my return I was pleasantly surprised to find out that not only where the kids fine, but that many exceeded my expectations. For example, my sixth grade students are making models using Google Sketchup. Having taught this before, I expected this to take two to three weeks. Instead many of the students are almost finished. Those that aren’t are creating incredible builds that, if I had been there, I might have suggested not doing because of time limitations and my expectations of what they could achieve.
This is a reminder to me to NEVER underestimate kids. They will always do more if given the choice and the opportunity and they are engaged. It’s also a reminder to me to talk less and let the kids DO more. If I am talking, most likely the kids aren’t learning. Kids need to DO in order to learn.
One Response to “What my kids can do without me.”
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February 1st, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I am always amazed at how much kids / students can accomplish if they are motivated enough. I too had an experience of coming back to work somewhat amazed at what my student workers were able to accomplish in my absence. Looking across the whole spectrum of education, it is amazing how much we underestimate our children and their creative potential.